Craft
/kræft/
Definitions
3 meaningsA skill, especially one involving making things by hand; an art or trade.
/kræft/
A skill or art of making something.
Pottery is an ancient craft.
💡 Simply: Craft is like having a special talent for making things! It's like when you know how to draw really well, or build cool things with LEGOs. It's about using your skills to create something awesome.
👶 For kids: Making something special with your hands, like drawing or building with blocks.
More Examples
She learned the craft of weaving from her grandmother.
His skillful use of language was a testament to his writing craft.
How It's Used
"The museum displayed traditional folk crafts."
"Marketing is a complex craft that requires strategic planning."
A vehicle for traveling on water or in air.
/kræft/
A vehicle, especially a boat or aircraft.
The fishing craft returned to shore.
💡 Simply: Craft can also be a boat, like a little sailboat on the water. Or an airplane zooming through the sky! It’s anything used to travel from one place to another, like a watercraft or an aircraft.
👶 For kids: A boat or airplane that moves.
More Examples
The air force used several military craft during the operation.
The small craft bobbed on the waves.
How It's Used
"The rescue team used a helicopter craft to search for survivors."
"The naval craft sailed into the harbor."
To make or manufacture something, especially with skill and care; to design and build.
/kræft/
To make or create something with skill.
They crafted a beautiful wooden sculpture.
💡 Simply: Crafting is when you're making something with your own hands or skills. Like when you carefully design a drawing or build something with Legos. It's about putting in effort and care to make something nice.
👶 For kids: To make something special using your hands or skills.
More Examples
The company crafts high-quality furniture.
She carefully crafted her argument.
How It's Used
"The artisans crafted intricate designs on the pottery."
"The author carefully crafted the narrative to create suspense."
Idioms & expressions
a master craft(s)man/woman
A highly skilled person in a particular craft or trade.
"The cabinetmaker was a master craftsman of his time."
craft fair
A marketplace where crafts and handmade goods are sold.
"They went to the craft fair to find unique gifts."
From Middle English *craft*, from Old English *cræft* ('skill, art, cunning, strength'), from Proto-Germanic *kraftaz* ('strength, power'). Cognate with German *Kraft* ('strength, power'), Dutch *kracht* ('strength').
The word 'craft' has been used since Old English times, primarily to denote skill and art. In the medieval period, it was strongly associated with guilds and trades.
Memory tip
Think of a craftsman meticulously working with their hands – that's craft!